"an error" is rather non-descript. And if you cant install Vista, perhaps a CarPC is not for you... There will be even more hurdles because of Vista to get this going than an average system which has its own problems to begin with...

"an error" is rather non-descript. And if you cant install Vista, perhaps a CarPC is not for you... There will be even more hurdles because of Vista to get this going than an average system which has its own problems to begin with...

First of all, it says error can not format to NTFS, cant get anymore descriptive then that. second of all, i understand that you in your arrogance think you are the guru of carpc's but dont post up telling me that a carpc is not for me when you know nothing about me. If you cant help me the GTFO of the thread.

I am just trying to save you a headache. if it cant format to NTFS then think of why. Is it being used? Meaning are you in some environment like linux or a windows os and trying to install through the gui that way. You say you arent so then check what else could be using it or if the drive has errors. Is it IDE or SATA?

Do you have a XP disk or even a 98SE disk or can you get a live linux disk and format that way... These types of things are basic troubleshooting. A CarPC is not a plug-n-play device. You dont just put it in and expect it to work. You went from linux to Vista which is mind boggling, and that coupled with this screams noobish. Maybe you have 20 years of computing knowledge, I dont know, but it isnt coming across that way and throwing good money after bad is never fun.

And the best part is you are asking about installing Vista in a Linux thread...

I did have linux freescribe installed and i couldnt manage it, i have a basic knowledge and i can usually figure a lot of stuff out, i simply did not want to make another thread about this since i all ready had one going. But yes linux was installed on my carpc and now i want to switch to Vista, do i need to do something special in linux to get it to load? But here is the thing, at one time you were a newbie too, you had to go around asking the same questions or figuring stuff out and yet you bash on me for doing the same thing? If someone can point me in the right direction i can usually figure stuff out, this right now is where i am stuck since i dont know a whole lot about using linux i am asking for help, that is the whole point of this forum is it not? Also it is an IDE

Linux won't help you install vista. you need to boot using the vista cd and format it using vista's cd.

In freespire, if you really want to format the drive to ntfs, use gparted.

in a terminal type: apt-get install gparted

If you do it from a live system, it'll probably error out because you need to unmount your root partition.

Alternatively, you seem to be a beginner but with at least a desire to figure things out. If you do keep Linux, and figure it out, you'll end up knowing more about how computers really work in 3months than tk1toaster has in his whole life (apart from the brief moments he's used Linux). I was a pure-ist windows guy and decided to try Linux for my carpc cuz it made the most sense. Now I don't own a computer with windows on it. Given, I could have saved a lot of time by using XP and RR (though I'd probably used SD because it looks better) rather than standardizing a car entertainment platform using Linux, but then the world would be missing something (and most likely self-implode as a result).

Former author of LinuxICE, nghost, nobdy.
Current author of Automotive Message Broker (AMB).
Works on Tizen IVI. Does not represent anyone or anything but himself.

okay fwiw i figured it out, i needed to delete the 2 partitions that had been created prior and just boot it straight to the HD, it is loading now without any problems. Kev and toast, i would love to be able to figure out and work linux, is there a good walkthru on what to do to get a grasp on using it? Thanks

I found the best way to learn the *nix evironment was to just get in there play with it. Open up a console and any command you dont know type "man " and then the command and the help will open up. I think some distros use "info " and then the command but I know "man" has worked on everyone I have tried. I actually had a class with unix as well and the textbook wasnt too shabby in explaining some things.

Here's a bunch of terms that confused me when I started. Hope it helps. The other learning comes from as toaster said, dig in and enjoy. If you have a problem, question, or concern, it's 98% likely that someone as been there first, and documented it on the net. In that case, google is your best friend.

cheers,

Former author of LinuxICE, nghost, nobdy.
Current author of Automotive Message Broker (AMB).
Works on Tizen IVI. Does not represent anyone or anything but himself.